I can remember bringing babies to the ring when the hunter breeding classes were still on Thursday, and that was quite a challenge for both the horses and the people involved.
So I would have to think it’s easier on the horses, at least, to have it on Sunday when there is less commotion.
Way back when, the Working Fox Hunter class used to be in the Dixon Oval. So it was an opportunity for some of the Local Hunters that did well to have an opportunity to show in the DIxon Oval. Now that it’s just another class in the Wheeler ring at the end of the day I don’t really see the point.
I feel like for the last 10-15 years the Locals have been 2 splits. Before that I always remember it being 3.
Sometimes people used to crash and BURN because they’d been in the Wheeler the whole show and then had to go jump around cold in the Dixon. But I do agree, it was kind of a treat to get a chance to jump in the Dixon and now it’s just one more o/f class so less special.
Back in the day, the Local classes were only filled by the local amateurs. There wasn’t a rule, per se, it was just known that the fences wouldn’t be over 2’9", regardless of how they were advertised, and it was so that the locals could get a chance to show at Devon.
To the best of my knowledge, the local professionals still are not competitive in the “real” hunter divisions at Devon, so, they began showing in the Locals. I find that truly unprofessional, and embarrassing. For pity’s sakes, let your clients have their day. But, no, there they were. I really can’t even imagine why
Back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I was showing clients horses in the hunter in hand classes, and those classes were packed. The PA bred classes were always full, and competitive.
I will be interested to see how management gets reviewed their second year. The first wasn’t particularly auspicious. We shall see
They played around with solutions to this, none of which really worked.
Some years one o/f class was “owner to ride.” Well, sometimes the owner was the professional and if the owner wasn’t… well, sometimes horses got mysteriously sold to the pro before Devon and then bought back by the original ammy owner after Devon. Also sometimes you had a horse capable of Devon and an owner not ready for that yet or a horse genuinely on lease etc.
Then for a little while the one o/f class was “amateur to ride” (I think, I vividly remember the above scenario because I leased a horse who did Devon and the lessor had to sit out that class). Well that just meant the local “pro amateur” did a bunch of horses in that class. And at the time we had a notorious shamateur who was one of those “adult working student bookkeeper” types and she rode a TON. I’d rather lose to a pro that lose to a shamateur, I don’t know about you. So that isn’t a perfect solution either.
And now they seem to have just given up, shrugged their shoulders, and anyone can ride. Looking at the entries, the riders are a mix of pros and ammies/juniors but I don’t know that I see anyone REALLY RINGING in the locals. The pros are riding horses that are definitely 3’0 and below horses. It’s not like it used to be with a bunch of 3’6 horses slumming it.
I would hope that using the same definition of an Amateur Owner at a show with Devons rating would suffice. If they are qualified as an amateur owner for the rated show, they can do the locals. They just need to be a resident from 50 miles, or whatever.
They’re never going to do that. Because some people like at least having the pro jump around ONE class before the ammy/junior/child goes in cold.
Then they have elected not to select the solution. That’s kind of typical.
I guess what I’m saying is that I am not sure the current exhibitors are all that unhappy with the current situation. A lot of people genuinely lease horses and I think would be more unhappy with having to own their horse for Devon locals than having to show against some pros on equal quality horses.
I do remember when it was a bunch of trainers on 3’6 horses scooping up all the ribbons against amateurs and kids, but it hasn’t been like that in a while. It’s like showing in any open 2’9 class locally-- some pros, some kids, some adults but pretty mostly on 3’0 horses. I don’t think the current batch of competitors feels strongly that there’s a problem that needs fixing.
I haven’t looked at requirements in ages does the A/O hunter division require actual ownership, or can the horse be a lease? No clue here.
It requires actual ownership. That’s what the “O” in A/O stands for.
Can the horse/pony be owner by the family?
Yes, but that doesn’t solve the problem of genuine leases.
This. I’m sure there’s a bit of grumbling here and there, but does it matter that much what a person who isn’t showing there and might never thinks? (Aka me 
)
ETA: If I was local and didn’t have a capable horse, I could see wanting to lease something to get to show at Devon just for the experience. So, there is a lot of value in making room for the people who might be on a legitimate leased mount. In my opinion, of course.
I’ve only lived in the area for 5 years but I wonder if Brass Ring the following week of Devon has taken away from the allure of showing in the locals? Cheaper but same place, with same jumps? I mean yes please.
I wondered what other shows are at the venue these days. There used to be a few other options for people who wanted to show at Devon, but not necessarily at “DEVON.”
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